Gun pocket for a garment with rapid access and flexible closure mechanism

ABSTRACT

A garment pocket for the concealed carrying of a gun includes an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel. An elastic band is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel. A pair of opposing flexible closure elements are affixed to opposing sides of the opening. A first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel. An outside accessory pocket is attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket, the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun and the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is in the field of hand gun pockets, and, more particularly, to a gun pocket with rapid access having a flexible closure mechanism.

BACKGROUND

A number of garment pockets for concealing guns are known. Such garment pockets typically come with drawbacks of some kind. With some, the garment has to be made with the pocket already installed, which is unworkable for people who don't find the brand of garment usable and prefer to wear their own brand.

Some gun pockets make use of modified existing pockets. These can be difficult to use for people who are accustomed to using their normal pockets for carrying things other than a gun. With some such pockets, the gun is not positioned for comfortable everyday carry, such as with pockets that allow access to a gun that is strapped to the thigh. With many gun pockets available today, the pocket opening must be unzipped, unsnapped, pulled open or have an outer flap opened before the gun can be accessed and drawn.

There are apparently no gun pocket systems that use stiffened lips along with elastic or other pulling devices or materials to hold it closed while allowing rapid access, while also combining an inner gun pocket with a dual-purpose outer pocket, while also creating this pocket system in a form that can be installed by a clothing alteration professional in the clothing of the user's choice, or by a clothing manufacturer at time of manufacture.

The present invention solves the drawbacks inherent in the prior art by providing, for the first time, a gun pocket with a flexible closure apparatus allowing for rapid access to a gun, that may be retro-fitted to an existing garment. Further, disclosed herein is a second pocket element, attached directly outside the aforementioned gun pocket, for storing a cell phone, wallet or the like which further serves to obscure any imprint on the garment from the gun. The present invention further addresses these drawbacks by creating a pocket and gun pouch system which can be pre-made and installed in the user's clothing of choice. It could also be installed in clothing at the time of manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A garment pocket for the concealed carrying of a gun includes an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel. An elastic band is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel. A pair of opposing flexible closure elements are affixed to opposing sides of the opening. A first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel. An outside accessory pocket is attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket. The inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun and the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item.

In another aspect, the ends of the gun pocket opening may, if needed, have vertical relief slits extending downward to permit the pocket to open wider and more freely.

In one aspect a pocket system is provided for fully concealing a gun inside a garment.

In another aspect a means of holding the pocket closed in such a way that it can be accessed rapidly by pushing one's fingertips and hand directly into the pocket opening, without additional steps needed to unsecure the pocket opening is provided.

In another aspect a dual-purpose secondary pocket is provided outside the primary gun pocket. The dual purposes are additional covering and concealment of the primary gun pocket and carrying space for additional everyday items such as a smartphone.

In another aspect, the gun pocket system provided does not use up space from the user's normal pockets which the user may be accustomed to using for different purposes.

In another aspect a gun pocket system is disclosed in a form that the user can have installed in the clothing of choice, and in the location of choice that best suits the user.

In another aspect, to fully conceal the gun inside the garment, a pocket is provided that is made of highly durable fabric such as ballistic nylon or Cordura®, which can be installed by the user to hold the gun inside the garment.

In order to hold the pocket closed while providing rapid access, a pair of moderately stiff yet flexible “lips” are sewn into the top edges of the gun pocket. An elastic strip or something with similar function is used to pull the two lips together, holding the pocket closed while allowing it to be accessed by pushing the fingertips and hand inside the opening.

In order to further conceal the gun pocket and provide additional space for carrying everyday needs, a second pocket is provided that sits on the outside of the garment directly outside of the gun pocket. This pocket can be configured in numerous ways depending on the user's needs, including a smartphone pocket, cargo pocket, pocket for keys, etc.

In order to make this pocket readily installable by the user or the user's clothing alteration professional, the pocket system can be provided as a single unit which constitutes a pair of pockets separated by a fold in the fabric at the top. In this way the tailor can cut a horizontal slit in the side of, for example, a pair of pants for installation, slide the gun pocket through the slit to the inside up to the fold between the pockets, and sew both pockets into place along with an outer covering that matches the fabric of the pants.

In another aspect an advantageous location for the disclosed gun pocket may be on the out-facing side of the thigh of a pair of pants, where an accessory or cargo pocket would normally be located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated, along with other objects and features thereof, from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a pocket system with a gun partially inserted in the inside gun pocket and smartphone in the outside accessory pocket;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B respectively show front and back views of the inside pocket, with the flexible closure elements of the gun pocket shown in a partial cutaway view;

FIG. 3 shows the uninstalled pocket system folded open;

FIG. 4 shows the flexible closure elements; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of the pocket system installed into a pants garment.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or components. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following disclosure describes several embodiments for a gun pocket that is adapted to be fitted to a garment. Several features of methods and systems in accordance with example embodiments are set forth and described in the Figures. It will be appreciated that methods and systems in accordance with other example embodiments can include additional procedures or features different than those shown in the Figures. Example embodiments are described herein with respect to a gun pocket with rapid access having a flexible closure mechanism. However, it will be understood that these examples are for the purpose of illustrating the principles, and that the invention is not so limited. Additionally, methods and systems in accordance with several example embodiments may not include all of the features shown in the Figures.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one example” or “an example embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or combinations and/or variations of these terms means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

In one useful example, the pocket may advantageously be located on the out-facing side of the thigh of a pair of pants, where a cargo or accessory pocket would typically be located. Ideally the pocket system would be made from a highly durable fabric with a measure of stiffness such as ballistic nylon or high strength denim or canvas fabrics made from blends of nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton, such as is available under the brand name Cordura® which is available from Invista North America S.A.R.L. Corporation Luxembourg. Pockets made from these materials can easily outlast the life expectancy of a normal article of clothing.

In another useful embodiment, the pocket system may advantageously include an inside pocket sewn into the inside of the pants, and an outside pocket sewn to the outside of the pants directly outside the inside pocket. The inside pocket may be adapted to contain the gun, and the outside pocket may be adapted to be configured for the contents of the user's choice. If so desired, the outside pocket can contain a smartphone or similar device, thus solving the additional problem of how to securely and comfortably carry a smartphone. It can also be configured to contain a cell phone, wallet, stiff panel or other similarly sized item. A smartphone, for example, carried directly outside the gun would also serve to help mask the presence of the gun from showing through the pants, and this configuration would work well with business attire as well as blue-collar or casual attire. If desired, the outside pocket could also have a design similar to a cargo pocket type. The outside visible portions of the pocket system would be covered in fabric matching the clothing item.

The inside gun pocket may advantageously feature a system for holding the pocket closed, so as to help conceal its presence and not reveal the contents, while allowing rapid access by simply pushing one's fingertips and hand into the opening. This system would utilize strips of a stiff yet somewhat flexible material such as polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride sheets as manufactured by Sekisui SPI under the brand name Kydex®, spring metal strips, and combinations thereof combined with strips of elastic. Other materials with similar appropriate qualities of durability, stiffness and flexibility could substitute. If the pocket is located on the outer thigh, the plastic strips would be formed to roughly conform to the circumference of the thigh. One longer strip of plastic would be sewn into the inside of the gun pocket opening. The shorter plastic strip would be sewn into the outside edge of the gun pocket opening, inside the elastic strap. This would form a pair of stiffened “lips” at the pocket opening. The elastic strip would cover the top of the outside of the gun pocket from end to end. The shorter strip of plastic would be stitched underneath and centered, and the portion of the elastic going from the ends of the shorter strip to the ends of the longer strip would be unstitched, to allow the elastic to pull the shorter strip tight against the longer strip, thus holding the pocket closed. Upon pushing one's fingertips between the plastic strips, the pocket will be easily forced open, allowing access to the gun inside, and also reducing the risk of snagging as the gun is drawn as could happen more easily with an elastic-only closure. This system negates the need to unzip the pocket, peel apart Velcro, or unsnap it to access the inside.

The inside of the gun pockets can be lined with hook/loop fastening material. This will allow the user to insert and secure a separate holster type device to hold the gun with greater stability if desired, or an anti-print panel. It will also allow the insertion and securing of spare magazine pouches made for that purpose. In that way a user could have two pockets installed in the pants. The pocket on the shooting-hand side would contain the gun, and the pocket on the opposite side could contain spare magazines. The outer accessory pocket could also be used for spare magazines.

The gun pocket may advantageously be manufactured with a rectangular shape, to allow the user to modify its shape for the intended use. If the pocket is to contain spare gun magazines, it can be left rectangular. For pockets containing a gun, this will allow the user or installer to put in a line of stitching that would make the pocket roughly conform to the shape of the gun, in order to hold it in position in the pocket with greater stability.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a pocket system showing a gun partially inserted in the inside gun pocket and a smartphone in the outside accessory pocket is shown. The pocket system 10 comprises a pair of pockets consisting of an inside gun pocket 1 attached to an outside accessory pocket 2. The inside gun pocket 1 includes an opening 25 (as best shown in FIG. 2B) adapted to receive a gun or similar item. The outside accessory pocket 2 is sized to accommodate receiving a smartphone 20 or similar item. In its ideal form, a fold or stitched connection in the fabric 3 (as best shown in FIG. 3) between the two pockets allows the pockets to be installed in a pair of pants by cutting a slit in the side of the pants and sliding the gun pocket inside the slit, then stitching both pockets into place. An elastic band 6 is affixed across the width of the top of the inside gun pocket 1.

When in use, a gun 22 may be inserted into the opening 25 and held concealed in the inside gun pocket 1. Since the inside gun pocket is sewn into the interior of a garment, any imprint made by the gun 22 is obscured by the accessory pocket 2 including any items held in the accessory pocket. In one useful embodiment, the opening of the outside accessory pocket 2 may be substantially level or only slightly lower than the inside gun pocket 1 opening, and above the elastic band 6.

Referring now jointly to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, front and back plan views respectively of the inside pocket, with the flexible closure elements of the gun pocket in a partial cutaway view is shown. A line of stitching 7 can be put into the gun pocket 1 by the user prior to installation of the pockets, in order that the shape of the pocket will be customized to hold the user's particular gun with greater stability.

The inside gun pocket 1 has a flexible mechanism for holding it closed, consisting of an inner flexible closure element such as the longer stiffened lip 4 and an opposing outer flexible closure element such as the shorter stiffened lip 5 which are sewn into a folded portion of the fabric of the opening on the inside and outside respectively as indicated by stitching 17. The strip of elastic 6 stretches along the top end of the outside front pocket 1 over the shorter outside stiffened lip 5 and serves to pull the lips together, holding the pocket closed. Inner stiffened lip 4 is sewn into the fabric along the top of the inside gun pocket 1 which may be done by folding a length of fabric over the lip 4 and applying stitches. In one useful example, inner stiffened lip 4 may be nearly the full width of the pocket, and the outer stiffened lip 5 should be significantly shorter than the full width of the pocket, for example, about half of the width.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an uninstalled pocket system is shown folded open. The inside gun pocket 1 includes a fold or stitched connection in the fabric 3. The outside pocket 2 is attached to the fold or stitched connection in the fabric 3 as shown here and in FIG. 4. Note that the front of the inside gun pocket 1, a fold or stitched connection in the fabric 3 and the outside accessory pocket may be fashioned from a single piece of cut material. The pocket opening design may incorporate downward vertical slits 55 on the ends of the gun pocket opening, to allow the pocket to open wider and more freely.

Referring now to FIG. 4, flexible closure elements are shown. The flexible closure elements 4, 5 are sewn into the back and front panels of the inside gun pocket 1. The flexible closure elements 4, 5 operate as “lips” that hold the pocket opening closed when the gun is being held in place, while parting to allow easy access for a user to withdraw the gun when the user's fingers are pushed between the “lips”. By way of example and not limitation of the closure elements, the flexible closure element 4 may have a length ranging between 4 to 6 inches, while the flexible closure element 5 may have a length ranging between 2 to 4 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective side view of the pocket system installed into a pants garment is shown. A pants garment 50 has the gun pocket 10 installed in a pants leg 52. The inside gun pocket 1 is inserted through a slit 54 and sewn into the inside of the pants leg and the outside accessory pocket 2 can be affixed to the outside of the pants leg 52. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the use of the pocket system 10 is not limited to use with pants. It can also be substantially similarly installed in other garments, such as skirts, dresses, kilts or the like. A version that would work well with skirts, dresses, or kilts could utilize a pocket opening located immediately beneath the waist band.

The elastic strip covering the outer stiffened lip could be extended on the ends and integrated into the waist band of the skirt, dress or kilt, which is already pulled tight around the waist. This would serve to hold the outer lip of the pocket tight to the waist without need for an inside lip in the pocket, though an inside lip could still be included to help facilitate pushing the pocket wide open when being accessed.

In another useful aspect the closure mechanism comprising flexible closure elements 4, 5 may be sewn into other items that have a pocket, including coats, concealed carry purses, and wearable pouches such as a belt pouch containing a gun that can have the opening on top for access. Plastic strips comprising the flexible closure elements may be straight or curved to conform to the application.

Although a limited number of embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. For example, the gun pocket could be held closed by alternate means, including a zipper, hook/loop fastener, magnets, or flexible magnetic strips sewn into the pocket lips. It could also work with only a single stiffened lip on one side and elastic on the other. The pocket pairs could also be configured so both pockets are layered on the inside of the pants, or on the outside of the pants. The gun pocket could also be made as a single standalone pocket, for installation alone, or on the inside of the pants behind an existing pocket in the selected pants, such as in cargo pants. Therefore, in one example the gun pocket system can be installed on the outer thigh portion of a garment, possibly right behind the outer seam if cutting the seam is an issue. If desired, Velcro® hook and loop lining may be added to the inside gun pocket to secure an interior holster or mag pouches. This has the advantage of still having use of front pockets for keys and change. The foregoing description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles of the present invention, and to construct and use such exemplary and specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention may be carried out by different equipment, and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment details and operating procedures, may be accomplished without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gun pocket system for a garment for holding and concealing a handgun comprising: an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel; an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel; a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening; wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel; an outside accessory pocket attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket; where the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun; and where the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the inside gun pocket and the accessory pocket are attached in a foldable arrangement so as to be adapted to be sewn to a garment.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the inside gun pocket is adapted to be sewn into the interior of the garment and the outside accessory pocket is adapted to be sewn to the outside of the garment.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving a smartphone, cell phone, checkbook, wallet or stiff panel.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the inside gun pocket includes stitching that conforms to a predetermined gun profile.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the outside accessory pocket has a cargo pocket design.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the outside accessory pocket is covered in fabric matching a selected clothing item.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second closure elements comprise material selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinylchloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the opposing flexible closure elements substantially conform to the circumference of a user's thigh.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible closure elements comprise a first strip sewn into the inside of the opening and a shorter strip sewn into the outside edge of the gun pocket opening, inside the elastic strap so as to form a pair of stiffened lips at the pocket opening.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the elastic strip substantially covers the top of the outside of the gun pocket from end to end and the shorter strip of plastic is centered, and stitched underneath it, and the portion of the elastic strip going from the ends of the shorter strip to the ends of the first strip are unstitched, to allow the elastic to pull the shorter strip tight against the longer strip, thus holding the pocket closed.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the inside gun pocket and the outside accessory pocket comprise a durable fabric with a measure of stiffness the fabric being selected from the group consisting of ballistic nylon, high strength denim, canvas, and fabrics that contain blends of nylon 6,6 fiber and cotton.
 13. A gun pocket system for a garment for holding and concealing a handgun comprising: the garment having an outer layer and an inner layer; an inside gun pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel; an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel; a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening; wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel; an outside accessory pocket attached to a top end of the inside gun pocket; where the inside gun pocket includes an opening adapted to receive a gun and is affixed to the inner layer; and where the outside accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving an item and is affixed to the outer layer.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the inside gun pocket and the accessory pocket are attached in a foldable arrangement so as to be adapted to be sewn to a garment.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the inside gun pocket is sewn into the interior of the garment and the outside accessory pocket may be sewn to the outside of the garment.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein accessory pocket is sized to accommodate receiving a smartphone, cell phone, checkbook, wallet or stiff panel.
 17. The system of claim 13 wherein the inside gun pocket includes stitching that conforms to a predetermined gun profile.
 18. The system of claim 13 wherein the first and second closure elements comprise material selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof.
 19. The system of claim 13 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of pants, outerwear, leisure wear, skirts, dresses, and kilts.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the pocket opening is located immediately beneath the waist band of a pair of pants, skirt, dress, or kilt.
 21. A pocket system comprising: an inside pocket having a front panel and a back panel and having a top opening between the front panel and the back panel; an elastic band affixed across the width and proximate the top of the front panel; a pair of opposing flexible closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening; wherein a first closure element is affixed parallel to and proximate the elastic band and a second closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of the back panel; and where the inside pocket includes an opening adapted to receive an item and the pair of opposing flexible closure elements when closed conceal the item, while allowing rapid access by pushing a hand into the opening.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the pair of opposing flexible closure elements are straight or curved and made from materials selected from the group consisting of plastic, elastic, polycarbonate plastic, nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, acrylic, polycarbonate, acetal (Polyoxymethylene), synthetic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride sheets, spring metal strips and combinations thereof.
 23. A closure mechanism for an item having an opening for a pocket comprising: a pair of opposing closure elements affixed to opposing sides of the opening; wherein one closure element is affixed across the width and proximate the top of one side of the opening and the opposing closure element is affixed across the width of the opposing side of the opening.
 24. The closure mechanism of claim 23 wherein the pair of opposing closure elements are adapted to accommodate an item selected from the group consisting of a coat, a concealed carry purse, a wearable pouch, and a belt pouch for containing a gun.
 25. The closure mechanism of claim 23 wherein the pair of opposing closure elements comprise straight or curved elements. 